MP in a spot over misuse of kitty

By Michael Wesonga

Marakwet East constituency professionals and civil society want area MP to step aside over alleged misuse of Sh12 million of the Constituency Development Fund.

The group gave two weeks ultimatum to MP Jebii Kilimo to account for the funds or take political responsibility and resign. They threatened to arrest the Co-operatives Assistant Minister when she visits the area and hand her over to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

They appealed to the commission to investigate graft allegations of the CDF. “We are left with no option because all our efforts to have her sack and replace the current CDF officials over the misuse of the kitty have fallen on deaf ears,” said Mr Ismael Kimutai, an athlete and member of the Valley Youth Group.

Mr Julius Kilimo, a teacher, said their investigation has allegedly shown that several ghost projects in the constituency were allocated funds from the kitty.

“The Kerio Valley Irrigation Project in Kapen Location was allocated Sh2.2 million according to CDF records but it is non-existent,” he claimed.

He added that Sh6.9 million allocated for purchase of mock exams and assessment for capacity building in schools had allegedly been misused.

Report

Kilimo claimed that Sh600,000 was allocated for plastering of Mogoro Dispensary that is non-existent.

But the MP dismissed the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) report and claimed it was orchestrated to malign her political career ahead of the General Election.

Kilimo vowed not to step down and said she will not take political responsibility for other people’s mistakes. According to the NTA report on misuse of CDF, Marakwet East wasted Sh12.2 million on abandoned projects.